abdominal cavity the cavity of the body between the diaphragm above and the pelvis below, containing the abdominal organs.

absorption c's cavities in developing compact bone due to osteoclastic erosion, usually occurring in the areas laid down first.

amniotic cavity the closed sac between the embryo and the amnion, containing the amniotic fluid.

cranial cavity the space enclosed by the bones of the cranium.

glenoid cavity a depression in the lateral angle of the scapula for articulation with the humerus.

marrow cavity (medullary cavity) the cavity that contains bone marrow in the diaphysis of a long bone; called also medullary canal.

nasal cavity the proximal portion of the passages of the respiratory system, extending from the nares to the pharynx; it is divided into left and right halves by the nasal septum and is separated from the oral cavity by the hard palate.

oral cavity the cavity of the mouth, bounded by the jaw bones and associated structures (muscles and mucosa).

pelvic cavity the space within the walls of the pelvis.

pericardial cavity the potential space between the epicardium and the parietal layer of the serous pericardium.

peritoneal cavity the potential space between the parietal and the visceral peritoneum.

serous cavity a coelomic cavity, like that enclosed by the pericardium, peritoneum, or pleura, not communicating with the outside of the body and lined with a serous membrane, i.e., one which secretes a serous fluid.

tension cavity cavities of the lung in which the air pressure is greater than that of the atmosphere.

thoracic cavity the portion of the ventral body cavity situated between the neck and the diaphragm; it contains the pleural cavity.

tympanic cavity the major portion of the middle ear, consisting of a narrow air-filled cavity in the temporal bone that contains the auditory ossicles and communicates with the mastoid air cells and the mastoid antrum by means of the aditus and the nasopharynx by means of the auditory tube. The middle ear and the tympanic cavity were formerly regarded as being synonymous.

uterine cavity the flattened space within the uterus communicating proximally on either side with the fallopian tubes and below with the vagina.

ab·dom·i·nal cav·i·ty

[TA]

the space bounded by the abdominal walls, the diaphragm, and the pelvis; it usually is arbitrarily separated from the pelvic cavity by a plane across the superior aperture of the pelvis; however, it may include the pelvis with the abdomen (see abdominopelvic cavity); within the cavitas lie the greater part of the organs of digestion, the spleen, the kidneys, and the suprarenal glands.

abdominal cavity

n.

The space bounded by the abdominal walls, diaphragm, and pelvis and containing the major organs of digestion, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal glands.

abdominal cavity

the space within the abdominal walls between the diaphragm and the pelvic area, containing the liver, stomach, small intestine, colon, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys, and associated tissues and blood and lymphatic vessels, surrounded by the abdominal fascia.

Abdominal cavity

abdominal cavity

A body space bounded superiorly by the diaphragm, laterally by the abdominal wall, inferiorly by the pelvis; the AC is separated from the pelvic cavity by an imaginary plane that passes across the superior opening of the pelvis.

abdominal cavity

Anatomy A body space bounded superiorly by the diaphragm, laterally by the abdominal wall, inferiorly by the pelvis; the AC is arbitrarily separated from the pelvic cavity by an imaginary plane that passes across the superior opening of the pelvis Content GI tract except esophagus and anus, kidneys, spleen, adrenal glands

ab·dom·i·nal cav·i·ty

(ab-dom'i-năl kav'i-tē) [TA]

The space bounded by the abdominal walls, the diaphragm, and the pelvis; it usually is arbitrarily separated from the pelvic cavity by a plane across the superior aperture of the pelvis; however, it may include the pelvis with the abdomen (see abdominopelvic cavity); withinthe cavity lie the greater part of the organsof digestion, spleen, kidneys, and suprarenal glands. Synonym(s): enterocele (2) .

abdominal

a wide bandage applied to the abdomen to raise intra-abdominal pressure. Its primary purposes are (1) to limit the displacement of the diaphragm during thoracic compression of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, thereby raising intrathoracic pressures achieved and improving forward blood flow, and (2) to maintain blood volume in the central circulation during hemorrhagic shock.

abdominal breathing

an abnormal form of respiratory movement in which the thorax is fixed and the inspiratory and expiratory movement of the lungs are carried out by the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles so that there are exaggerated movements of the abdominal wall.

abdominal cavity

the body cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvis; contains the abdominal organs.

abdominal enlargement

may result from fluid effusions (transudate, exudate or blood), enlargement of viscera (neoplasia, dilatation, engorgement or physiological phenomena, e.g. pregnancy), intra-abdominal masses or fat. Weakness of the abdominal wall usually results in a pendulous rather than enlarged abdomen.

an unexplained ischemic necrosis of the internal oblique muscle of ewes in late pregnancy which are carrying twins or triplets. Results in ventral hernia but often with little apparent effect on the ease of lambing.

abdominal muscles

the paired muscles of the flank and belly that surround and support the abdominal viscera.

may arise from an abdominal organ, the peritoneum or be referred as from spinal nerves.

abdominal regions

arbitrary, descriptive subdivisions of the abdomen made up of three groups of three (like a noughts-and-crosses grid), three along the middle—xiphoid, umbilical and pubic, and three lateral pairs—hypochondriac, lateral abdominal and inguinal.

the organs contained within the abdominal cavity; they include the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, and parts of the urinary and reproductive tracts.

abdominal wall

consists of the parietal peritoneum, the deep and superficial layers of fascia, the transverse abdominal, internal and external abdominal oblique muscles, the subcutaneous tissue and the skin. It contains the umbilicus, the cicatrix marking the entry point of the umbilical cord, and is traversed by the inguinal canal, and at its caudal extremity carries the prepubic tendon, the ventral attachment of the wall to the pubic bones.

abdominal wall rigidity

reflex response to pain of peritonitis, accompanied by pain on palpation or percussion.

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